Downey composer Flora Cheng hosting album release concert

DOWNEY – As a performance venue, the fabled Epic Lounge in Downey is known for hosting rock concerts of all genres, movie festivals, and special events. Flora Cheng’s concert for the release of her album “Icarus,” Sunday, Nov. 3, will be a first for this venue—Cheng on keyboard, backed by violinists.

Cheng, who writes scores for indie films, will be showcasing her compositions written in a “modern classical style.”

“It is a chamber music event,” she says, “and when I explained it to the owner, David, he said, ‘Why not? We’ve never done this before.’”

Cheng was fourteen when she arrived here from Taiwan and enrolled at Warren High. Having studied at the Yamaha School of Music since a young age, Cheng said she joined the marching band and “it was the best decision I ever made. Everyone was so kind and supportive.”

Cheng says her interest in music composition grew from the PTA Reflections contest held every year for all K-12 students. With the support of the school’s band director, David Niemeyer, she wrote a piece for percussion ensemble and won several rounds.

After graduating in in 2007, Cheng attended Cerritos Community College until her English skills had developed enough for a transfer to UC Santa Barbara, where she earned a BA in Music Composition in 2011.

Cheng’s score for “Blue Skies on Mars” earned her Best Original Score from the International Independent Film Awards 2018, New York Film Awards, and American Tracks Music Awards.

Cheng says her album Icarus grew from a desire to compose something original that was not for film.

“This is my first album created from my heart, so it’s my baby,” she explains. She describes her inspiration coming from the story of Icarus and his struggle to escape the labyrinth of the Minotaur with his father.

When Cheng is not composing, she is giving private piano lessons at the Downey Music Center (now on Florence Avenue). She is also the current President of the Music Teachers’ Assoc. of California, Lakewood-Cerritos branch.

Tickets for Cheng’s concert, $15, are being handled by Eventbrite, and can be purchased by going to her website, www.FloraChengMusic.com, and clicking on the album cover. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.